Banana Pancakes

Share this recipe:

There’s nothing quite like a warm stack of fluffy banana pancakes that are drenched in syrup and topped with your favorite fruits and nuts. Total comfort breakfast food!

This pancake recipe is made for an easy breakfast morning.  With a rich batter, this recipe cooks in the cast-iron skillet or griddle in minutes, leaving you with fluffy pancakes that will leave you craving. 

As bananas are a popular ingredient in many breakfast dishes, they are also very versatile.

From cookies, to smoothies, and to your favorite banana bread recipe, there are many ways to use this fruit. 

Banana Pancakes

The history of banana pancakes is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from the Dutch settlers in Suriname.

The Dutch settlers had no bananas, but they did have wheat flour and sugar cane syrup. They mixed the two ingredients and fried them on a pan to make a pancake-like bread.

Banana pancakes are popular in many countries worldwide, such as Canada, Australia, Germany, India, South Africa, and Japan.

On the other hand, the banana, a major ingredient in making the dish, has a rich history.

Banana is a fruit that originated in Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated in Papua New Guinea and then introduced to the West by Portuguese sailors.

The word “banana” comes from the Arabic word “banan.” Bananas are usually eaten raw but can also be baked, fried, boiled, mashed, or ground into banana flour.

They are also used in some desserts like banana cake or as an ingredient in other dishes like pancakes.

Key Ingredients Used In this Recipe

1. 1 Over-Ripe Banana; Peeled
2. 2 Large Eggs (Room Temperature)
3. Juice from ½ Lemon or about 2 Tbsp.
4. 2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
5. 2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
6. 1 Cup Milk 
7. 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour 
8. 2 ½ Tsp. Baking Powder
9. ¼ Tsp. Baking Soda
10. ½ Tsp. Kosher Salt

Ripe Banana – It’s best to use overly ripe bananas if you can. The darker the better as the brown bananas are sweeter. The bananas will also add a fruity flavor to the batter.  

All-Purpose Flour – The all-purpose flour is the perfect flour for banana pancakes. This is because it contains gluten, which is a protein that gives the pancake form and structure. 

Sugar – Preferably it is best that you use granulated sugar as it helps with the texture of the pancake, adds sweetness, and helps to retain moisture in the snack. 

Baking Powder & Baking Soda – For a delicious fluffy pancake, do not leave out the baking powder and baking soda from your list of ingredients.  Both will act as a leavening agent, they will add air bubbles to the batter and ensure it is light and fluffy. 

Salt and Sugar – The salt will balance out the sweet flavor in the banana pancake. 

Binding Agent – The eggs constitute the binding agent in the pancake. It holds all other ingredients together, and the yolk from the egg adds an interestingly rich flavor to the banana pancakes. The eggs also add structure and moisture to the pancakes. 

Whole Milk – Best to use whole milk if you can. The milk act as the liquid base responsible for the dissolution of the ingredients. It also adds a rich flavor to the pancake and, finally, helps to form a cohesive batter. You can also use dairy free milk if preferred. 

Adding Oil – This is completely optional but is responsible for the crispy golden ring around the pancakes. Many prefer butter to oil, again, this is only a preferential choice. Vegetable oil or Canola oil prevent the pancake from sticking to the pan when you are done. 

Are Overripe Bananas Good For Pancakes 

The flavors from the overripe bananas will enhance the flavor of the pancakes. This will also make the pancakes sweeter. 

How Do You Make Banana Pancakes

There are many different ways to make banana pancakes. Some people like to use mashed bananas, while others like adding other ingredients such as eggs and flour. There is no right or wrong way to make them!

Our recipe starts off by smashing the bananas, you can do so by using a fork or a handheld whisk. 

To begin the cooking process, start by mixing the wet ingredients:

In a medium size mixing bowl, begin by smashing the banana with a fork or handheld mixer. 

Add in the eggs, lemon juice, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. 

Continue whisking or blending until liquify. 

Add & whisk dry ingredients: In the same bowl, add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently whisk the ingredients together until well combined and there are no visible lumps. 

Preheat cookware and cook the pancake: Preheat a medium size cast-iron skillet or an electric griddle over medium-high heat. You may also use a large non-stick skillet. 

Add the butter and oil. Then ladle batter onto skillet or griddle. Scoop batter with a ⅓ measuring cup at a time and pour the batter onto greased skillet or griddle. 

Cook the pancake until noticeable bubbles begin to appear on the top surface and bottom is golden brown.

Flip the banana pancake and continue to cook until opposite side is golden brown. Serve right with your banana slices and desired fruits.

What to Serve Your Pancakes With 

These banana pancakes are a delicious breakfast food on their own. They can also be served with butter, maple syrup, coulis, or with this fresh strawberry syrup.

Recipe Varieties and Substitutions

There are wide varieties of banana pancakes, including:

• Banana with chocolate chips pancakes
• Banana with Nutella pancakes
• Banana with cinnamon and sugar pancakes
• Banana with peanut butter pancake

Best Recommended Toppings For Your Pancakes

• To jazz them up, consider adding peanut butter, honey, or chocolate sauce for a sweet and salty combination.
• We recommend you top your pancakes with fresh berries or your favorite fruits. 
• To enhance the banana flavor further, consider adding sliced bananas to make banana pancakes more filling.

More Pancake Recipes To Enjoy

Pancakes are a breakfast staple for many people. They are delicious, easy to make, and very versatile. 

You can top them with maple syrup (which we love to do). You can also top them with chocolate chips, or whipped cream, and they will taste delicious no matter what you put on them.

There are many different variations of pancakes that you can make too. 

After making this banana pancake recipe, try this German Pancakes (Dutch baby pancake), this air fryer pancakes, this lemon poppyseed pancakes, and this strawberry pancake recipe next. 

How To Store 

These pancakes are a delicious when consumed immediately. However, they can also be refrigerated for up to three days. Before refrigerating, they must be covered with plastic wrap or foil.

The best way to store your banana pancakes for long periods is in the freezer. After cooking, they should be placed in a freezer-safe container or bag and then put into the freezer as soon as possible.

We would love to know if you tried this recipe, tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

Please follow us on YouTube to see all of our latest videos!